Q. I have read over and over that African Sumacs are fast
growers. The African Sumacs here seem to be at a stand still! I have two in my
backyard since April. They are alive but the canopy and trunk just seem the
same, perhaps 10% growth. The trees are sold with tall, thin trunks – like 1/2
to 3/4 ” diameter, with a canopy that branches out at 8 feet. There are no
branches or leaves below that. The trees are staked high and the stems are all
finger diameter. Will they take off eventually?
growers. The African Sumacs here seem to be at a stand still! I have two in my
backyard since April. They are alive but the canopy and trunk just seem the
same, perhaps 10% growth. The trees are sold with tall, thin trunks – like 1/2
to 3/4 ” diameter, with a canopy that branches out at 8 feet. There are no
branches or leaves below that. The trees are staked high and the stems are all
finger diameter. Will they take off eventually?
A. Trees with a long, skinny trunks with no side branches
until 8 feet are a problem. This is done at the wholesale nursery to increase
their height and make it easier to ship. It is to their advantage, not to
yours.
until 8 feet are a problem. This is done at the wholesale nursery to increase
their height and make it easier to ship. It is to their advantage, not to
yours.
To have
strong trunks, tree trunks to be tapered from top to bottom. In other words, to
have good trunk strength the trunk needs to be bigger in diameter at the bottom
and get narrower up the trunk. This helps to support the canopy. If they don’t,
a good wind will come along and snap the trunks.
strong trunks, tree trunks to be tapered from top to bottom. In other words, to
have good trunk strength the trunk needs to be bigger in diameter at the bottom
and get narrower up the trunk. This helps to support the canopy. If they don’t,
a good wind will come along and snap the trunks.
 |
| Trees with no taper cannot support their own canopy. Leave any growth on the trunk that develops and stake as low on the trunk as you can to allow the trunk to move. Both of these things will help develop a tapered trunk. |
Trees
develop tapered trunks from two major events in their lives; trunks swaying
back and forth in the wind and the presence of branches with leaves all along
the trunk. Both have a great deal to do with trunk taper and consequently its
strength.
When trees
are staked, trunks should be immobilized no lower than it takes to hold the
tree upright and still allow some trunk movement. The stakes should be removed
as soon as possible after planting; usually no longer than one full season of
growth.
are staked, trunks should be immobilized no lower than it takes to hold the
tree upright and still allow some trunk movement. The stakes should be removed
as soon as possible after planting; usually no longer than one full season of
growth.
Next,
never, never remove branches growing along the trunk if they are smaller than pencil
diameter. Once these stems reach pencil diameter or thereabouts, cut them off
flush with the trunk with a clean, sanitized bypass-type pruning shears.
never, never remove branches growing along the trunk if they are smaller than pencil
diameter. Once these stems reach pencil diameter or thereabouts, cut them off
flush with the trunk with a clean, sanitized bypass-type pruning shears.
Never plant
in a DRY hole. Make sure the soil in the hole is wet when tree roots come in contact
with it. Planting in a dry hole can set a tree back, or any plant for that
matter, due to root damage.
in a DRY hole. Make sure the soil in the hole is wet when tree roots come in contact
with it. Planting in a dry hole can set a tree back, or any plant for that
matter, due to root damage.
Sometimes
people say this is “transplant shock”. Well, yes, plants do have a setback, or
shock, when removed from a container and placed in the ground. This can happen for
many reasons but the DEGREE of setback can be under your control.
people say this is “transplant shock”. Well, yes, plants do have a setback, or
shock, when removed from a container and placed in the ground. This can happen for
many reasons but the DEGREE of setback can be under your control.
Why are
they growing so slow? The amount of total growth on a plant (add up all new growth
above and below ground) is divided by the number of places where growth can
occur. Stems in full sunlight or without competition from other branches will
usually be the strongest in growth but the total growth must be divided among every
place that is growing. This includes the roots and any increase in the diameter
of stems and trunks.
they growing so slow? The amount of total growth on a plant (add up all new growth
above and below ground) is divided by the number of places where growth can
occur. Stems in full sunlight or without competition from other branches will
usually be the strongest in growth but the total growth must be divided among every
place that is growing. This includes the roots and any increase in the diameter
of stems and trunks.
If you want
a plant to grow faster, reduce the number of places where growth occurs. Prune
out unnecessary stems so that the growth is focused on those stems where you
want growth to occur.
a plant to grow faster, reduce the number of places where growth occurs. Prune
out unnecessary stems so that the growth is focused on those stems where you
want growth to occur.
You may see
sprouts coming out of the trunk. Leave them. Do not prune them out until they
are pencil-sized or larger but leave the small ones to help build caliper or
taper.
sprouts coming out of the trunk. Leave them. Do not prune them out until they
are pencil-sized or larger but leave the small ones to help build caliper or
taper.